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(1) Review of Management System of Air Companies
In June 1986, the Transport Policy Council made a recommendation regarding
the "future of the management system of air companies."
This recommendation emphasized in particular that users' interests should
be increased through competitions among air companies on the principle of ensuring
safe operations, and suggested pluralization of Japanese airlines in international
air services, full privatization of Japan Air Lines, and the promotion of competition
on domestic routes.
The Ministry of Transport pursuing an air transport policy in line with the
suggestions contained in this recommendation, has already authorized All Nippon
Airways' scheduled international passenger service, and has also introduced
a double/triple tracking system step by step into domestic routes. Preparations
are also under way for fully privatizing Japan Air Lines.
(2) Implementation of Measures for Increasing Users' Interests
Since April 1985, 12 new routes have been opened for domestic services, including
the Tokyo-Kagoshima route, and 11 new routes for international services, including
the Tokyo-Washington route. (Table
2)
In line with the Ministry's authorization of flexible procedures for discounting
domestic air fares, the group package discount system has been instituted, and
the coupon discount system expanded.
The recent appreciation of the yen has created imbalances in international
air fares between passengers leaving Japan for other countries and those arriving
in Japan from other countries. To reduce these imbalances, air fares for passengers
leaving Japan for the United States or Europe have been lowered. (3) Promotion
of Aviation Talks
On the principle of ensuring the fair and equal opportunities in aviation
agreements, Japan has been promoting the securing of transport capacity conforming
to the demand as its basic objective in conducting aviation talks with other
countries. On the basis of the recommendation made by the Transport Policy Council
in June 1986, the promotion of pluralization of Japanese airlines in international
services has become a new subject of discussion in negotiations with other countries.
From this standpoint, aviation talks have been propelled mainly aiming at
the expansion of civil aviation relationship between Japan and foreign countries.
For example, negotiations with the United States have been conducted for
the purpose of overall balance of benefit given by the aviation agreement and
negotiations with the United Kingdom have been conducted aiming at the introduction
of plural number of airlines of respective countries into routes between Japan
and the UK.
(1) Five-Year Airport Development Program
The capacity of the New Tokyo International Airport, Tokyo International
Airport and Osaka International Airport is reaching its limitation
(Fig. 11), and the promotion of the three major projects described in (2)
is a pressing task.
In these circumstances, the Ministry of Transport drew up the fifth five-year
airport development program with fiscal 1986 as its initial year (the total
operating costs: \1.920 trillion; comparison with previous program: 112.3%),
in order to promote the development of airports systematically.
The basic 'aims of the program include (A) the development of airports with
primary emphasis on the promotion of the three major projects; (B) the promotion
of measures for the areas around airports, with emphasis on environmental protection;
and (C) the modernization of air traffic safety systems.
(2) Promotion of Three Major Projects
①Construction of Kansai International Airport
In January 1987, the construction of the Kansai International Airport was
started. This project is to be completed as soon as possible, with the target
date for opening set for the end of fiscal 1992.
②Early Completion of New Tokyo International Airport
Through the acquisition of land included in the plan by discussions, the
formation of a public opinion for the airport's early completion and the strengthening
of security, full-scale work has to be started as soon as possible to see it
completed as originally scheduled.
③Promotion of Work for Expanding Tokyo International Airport
The project for expanding the Tokyo International Airport, which was started
in January 1984, has been carried out in three phases. Work in Phase One is
smoothly under way, with the target date for opening the service set for July
1988.
(3) Development of Other Airports
As one of the measures for further developing the air transport network,
airport facilities have been improved to accommodate jet aircraft.
As of October 1986, 39 airports (50% of the total) were capable of accommodating
jet aircraft. Of those, 17 airports (22%) were capable of accommodating large-size
jet aircraft, using their runways more than 2,500 meters long.
It is necessary to future develop the nation's airports systematically, regarding
future trends in demand, development effects, service prospects, and investment
efficiency.
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